Steering wheel leather cracking
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Steering wheel leather cracking
Today while driving I noticed that the back of my steering wheel has a different color compared to the front of the steering wheel. I don't know if this is the leather cracking or the material deteriorating but it doesn't look good to me. Not sure if this is from the killer Texas heat or from my oily/sweaty hands. If anyone knows a good fix to this I would greatly appreciate it. I will also be attaching photos.
Thank you!
Thank you!
#2
Member
Dang, how tight are you holding the wheel? It also looks like sun damage too. There's no fix for that other than replacing the wheel. I suppose you could dye it and seal it but it looks like a sunscreen for your windshield is in order. I'm from Houston so I know what you're going through.
#3
Super Member
Definitely looks like it's flaking, but just in case it actually is some sort of grime have you tried cleaning it? Have you seen any black flakes on your hands after driving?
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I have not tried cleaning it, mainly because I'm scared I would do something wrong and mess it up even more. I was looking at leather protectors earlier this month, specially McKee's 37. Hopefully I could get this looking better soon.
#5
Super Member
Just use a damp towel and see what happens. No interior protectant will do anything now and to be honest if it is flaking off I would definitely take it to MB and have them fix that under warranty. The car is not even 2 years old.
#7
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BMW e89 Z4 sDrive 35i & MB S205 C200 AMG Premium Plus
Looks like grime to me. You need to clean steering wheel leather just like any other. In fact clean it more regularly if you have dirty, greasy or sweaty hands to prevent the leather from taking up all the dirt and grease
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#8
Super Member
Wow that's bad. How old is the car?
If you're in a hot climate I suggest you keep some regular leather cleaner and conditioner on that hide. I tend to use this combo from the chem guys, which I've found really good .. leaves the leather nice and nourished without going greasy or slippery:
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Leather_...spi_109_16.htm
If you're in a hot climate I suggest you keep some regular leather cleaner and conditioner on that hide. I tend to use this combo from the chem guys, which I've found really good .. leaves the leather nice and nourished without going greasy or slippery:
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Leather_...spi_109_16.htm
#9
Super Member
All leathers in our mercs are coated...
No "nourishing" leather product will do anything.... Unless the coating has failed.......
So initially clean it with a mildly soapy microfibre cloth... If that changes the state then apply something like 303 aerospace protectant afterwards.
If not try an APC with a short nap towell... (Slightly more aggressive).
Then ally the 303 or similar...
If no change and the texture is flaked... Then cleaning will do nothing and pursue warranty...
Later invest in a dash sun screen and apply 303 to the dash top and steering wheel ....
No "nourishing" leather product will do anything.... Unless the coating has failed.......
So initially clean it with a mildly soapy microfibre cloth... If that changes the state then apply something like 303 aerospace protectant afterwards.
If not try an APC with a short nap towell... (Slightly more aggressive).
Then ally the 303 or similar...
If no change and the texture is flaked... Then cleaning will do nothing and pursue warranty...
Later invest in a dash sun screen and apply 303 to the dash top and steering wheel ....
#10
Super Member
The moisture level of the substrate will determine to a great extent what happens to the coating applied above it. I won't argue against that fact that plain water (i.e. cleaning with a regular damp rag) will keep the leather in probably just as fine a condition, but a moisture emulsion will do the same and depending on composition won't dry out as fast.
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Today while driving I noticed that the back of my steering wheel has a different color compared to the front of the steering wheel. I don't know if this is the leather cracking or the material deteriorating but it doesn't look good to me. Not sure if this is from the killer Texas heat or from my oily/sweaty hands. If anyone knows a good fix to this I would greatly appreciate it. I will also be attaching photos.
Thank you!
Thank you!
#12
Not a professional,but that looks just like dirt. Try some sanitizer for your hand before driving to take the oils off your hands. You should really just clean it before that stuff starts to build up.
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Update: I put on some Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner last night and it looks a lot better today, no grime or flaking seen at all. Hopefully it stays like this.
Thank you all for your suggestions!
Thank you all for your suggestions!
#17
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CLS550 W219
Just in case anyone's leather does start to come, especially with cashmere interiors, the stuff LeatherWorld has works pretty awesome. i just used it on my CLS550 and it works great. Here's a video for anyone who unfortunately doesn't have a dirty wheel: